Support the Library

Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning

Register Today!

Browse our Spring 2025 Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning offerings. Subjects include art, business, technology, health, financial literacy, and more. Review the courses and register today!

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MPL Comic Con Art Contest

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
May 31, 10 AM – 3 PM

Art Contest now taking submissions!

Calling all comic artists! Submissions are now open for the Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con Art Contest—if accepted, your artwork will be displayed at the Benjamin L. Hooks’ Goodwyn Art Gallery throughout May and entered for a chance to win awesome prizes. Winners will be announced at Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con on Saturday, May 31

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Bookstock

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
May 3, 11AM

Bookstock is the largest annual local authors festival in Memphis! This free, family-friendly event features a fantastic lineup of keynote speakers, performances, workshops, exhibits, and activities for all ages. Keynote speakers Roxane Gay and Shamichael Hallman.

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The Undugu III

Connect Crew at Levi Library
April 26, 3-5 PM

Join us for a live hip-hop music event focused on local Memphis artists. The lyrics will be clean and friendly for all ages. Don’t miss out as we celebrate the unique talent of Memphis hip-hop, also known as MemHop! 

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Summer Camps 2025

​The Memphis Public Libraries’ 2025 summer camps offer a dynamic array of free, STEAM-focused programs designed for teen. Participants can engage in hands-on experiences such as robotics, filmmaking, and music production, fostering creativity and skill development throughout the summer.​

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MPL Unbound

A Publication of the Memphis Library Foundation

Welcome to the first issue of MPL UNBOUND, the quarterly magazine for Memphis Public Libraries. This magazine expands on the library’s mission to meet the public where they are and put the library in their hands. We believe this is one of a kind for any U.S. public library system. Pick up a print copy at any branch or read the digital version online!

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MPL Repair Cafe Volunteers Needed

We are excited to announce that Memphis Public Library will be hosting regular Repair Days in 2025 in partnership with the international Repair Café organization! If you have special skills and would like to volunteer for this effort, let us know here!

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Seed Library and Colorcopia

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3rd Tuesdays, 1-2 PM

Join The Dixon Garden and Gallery’s Shawna White for a monthly arts class inspired by the ever changing seasons. In these nature themed arts classes, all you need to bring is your creativity for a great time while having great conversation. All supplies provided; all skill levels welcome!

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Creative Aging Programs

Talented professional artists and musicians play, perform and teach at locations where seniors live and gather. Musical performances and hands-on arts workshops reach diverse audiences, improving participants’ cognitive vitality and emotional well-being, and making arts access a reality.

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Teen Reading Challenge

Various locations
January – May

Get a free book each month, handpicked for teens. Explore new genres and find your next favorite read! After reading, share your review online and tag CLOUD901 or tell us what you liked (or didn’t). Read all 5 books for a pizza party and a chance to win a Nintendo Switch!

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Upcoming Events

View our full calendar of events!

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:00 am

Story Time!
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Computer Basics Class
Orange Mound Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Getting Started with Excel 365
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Sensory Story Time
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 11:00 am

Open Art Session
Randolph Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 3:30 pm

Creative Customs: Step by Step Drawing
Orange Mound Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

Guitar Club
South Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

LEGO of Your Imagination
Raleigh Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

Embracing Autism
Raleigh Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Family Fun – Zumba for Kids!
Cordova Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Family Storytime – Poetry
South Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Memphis Zoo Storytime
Connect Crew
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Orange Mound's One Year Anniversary!
Orange Mound Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Weird Science Family Day
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:00 am

Story Time!
Officer Geoffrey Redd Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Sensory Story Time
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 11:00 am

Open Art Session
Randolph Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 3:30 pm

LEGO of Your Imagination
Raleigh Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

Embracing Autism
Raleigh Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Family Fun – Zumba for Kids!
Cordova Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Family Storytime – Poetry
South Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Memphis Zoo Storytime
Connect Crew
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Orange Mound's One Year Anniversary!

Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Weird Science Family Day
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Move Your Body
East Shelby Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 1:00 pm

Indian Attire at Whitehaven
Whitehaven Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 2:30 pm

The Gathering Presents: The Undugu 3
Levi Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 3:00 pm

The Gathering Presents: The Undugu III
Connect Crew
Sat., Apr. 26, 3:00 pm

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sun., Apr. 27, 11:00 am

Preschool Story Time
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Mon., Apr. 28, 10:15 am

Toddler Storytime
Randolph Library
Mon., Apr. 28, 10:30 am

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:00 am

Computer Basics Class

Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Getting Started with Excel 365
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Open Art Session
Randolph Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 3:30 pm

Guitar Club
South Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 4:00 pm

Embracing Autism
Raleigh Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Memphis Zoo Storytime
Connect Crew
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Orange Mound's One Year Anniversary!

Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Weird Science Family Day
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Move Your Body
East Shelby Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 1:00 pm

ESB Anime Club
East Shelby Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 1:00 pm

I Read That Movie @ the Library: CONCLAVE
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 2:00 pm

Indian Attire at Whitehaven
Whitehaven Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 2:30 pm

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:00 am

Computer Basics Class

Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Getting Started with Excel 365
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Fri., Apr. 25, 10:30 am

Embracing Autism
Raleigh Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 10:00 am

Memphis Zoo Storytime
Connect Crew
Sat., Apr. 26, 11:00 am

Orange Mound's One Year Anniversary!

Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Weird Science Family Day
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 12:00 pm

Move Your Body
East Shelby Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 1:00 pm

Women Self-Care and Resilience
East Shelby Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 1:00 pm

One Room School House Crochet Class
Raleigh Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 1:00 pm

Advanced ESL Reading and Discussion Group
Cordova Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 2:00 pm

I Read That Movie @ the Library: CONCLAVE
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 2:00 pm

Indian Attire at Whitehaven
Whitehaven Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 2:30 pm

The Gathering Presents: The Undugu 3
Levi Library
Sat., Apr. 26, 3:00 pm

View our full calendar of events!

Keep up with Memphis Public Libraries!

Check out our Monthly Newsletter or other email options

Memphis Public Libraries Newsletter

April
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Best Sellers and Other Suggestions

Library Updates

Learning does not have to be dull! At Memphis Public Libraries, Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning classes range from sign language to calligraphy to public speaking! Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect in a CELL class! 👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓 #CELL #Memphis #MemphisPublicLibraries #StartHere

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Why I Love the Library

A whole world is right at your fingertips at your local library branch! Come see us today and get your library card! 📚❤ Sign Up: https://www.memphislibrary.org/start-here/ #LibraryCardSignUpMonth #MemphisPublicLibraries #StartHere

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Overdue book? Don't worry! Just return it.

Did you forget to return your library book? It can happen. Our Urban Fellow Abby Utley made this short film for entertaining and explaining that MPL no longer charges fines for overdue books. Check it out!

Posted by Memphis Public Libraries on Thursday, August 24, 2023
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Popular Resources

Start your genealogical journey today!

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Have a question you need answered? Or a suggestion for the collection? Start Here!

Are you missing the ability to browse our shelves for books for your children? Use Book Bundles and we’ll pick out a bundle of books for your child!

Search the local newspaper all the way back to 1847.

Check out our online Digital Archives and explore Memphis history through photos and more!

Dig Memphis, the Memphis Public Libraries' Digital Archive

Check out E-books and E-AudioBooks through Libby by OverDrive! You can visit the new Libby site or visit the original OverDrive site.

Illustration of Libby the OverDrive mascot for their new look!

Memphis Public Libraries lends non-traditional items, too! You can try before you buy, discover a new hobby, or borrow a device you’ll only need to use once. Kits include Camping, Karaoke, Yard Games, Outdoor Movies, and Nature Exploration.

If you are looking for help, or want to provide someone with help, just dial 2-1-1 to reach the community information and referral resources of LINC, the Library Information Center at the Memphis Public Library.

Our magazine collection has moved to Libby! Check out our collection of current and popular magazines.

Streaming current local music for free. Local musicians: Submit a sample for inclusion.

The New York Times digital subscription is available at home!

The New York Times logo

Details on the extended Tax Assistance.

Gale Presents: Udemy is an online learning platform for adults who want to improve work-related skills or further develop a personal interest.

We now offer access to Value Line, a single, cost-effective research package covering multiple asset classes that can transform an average investor into an extremely profitable one.

More About the Library

Connect Crew

Not everyone can get to the library, so we’ve decided to come to you!

Friends of the Library

Donations, Book Sales, Second Editions, Amazon Book Store, and more.

Memphis Library Foundation

Supporting the Library through private donations and more. See how you can help today!

MPL by the Numbers

Keep up with the Library with these bimonthly reports showcasing some of the events and services we provide daily.

MPL in the News

Don’t just hear it from us. See what every one else is saying about the programs and services of the Memphis Public Libraries!

Library Closing

All Memphis Public Libraries will be closed Friday April 18th for Good Friday and April 20th for Easter.